Fisk Signs For $1.3 Million, Becomes Al's Richest Catcher

SPORTS THIS MORNING

Carlton Fisk and the Chicago White Sox avoided arbitration Saturday when they agreed to a 1-year contract worth about $1.3 million that makes him the highest-paid catcher in American League history.

Fisk, 40, will receive $400,000 in 1989 and an additional $1.632 million in deferred income without interest. The deferred payments are worth about $900,000 when discounted to present-day value.

Fisk, who is 51st on the all-time home run list with 323, made $700,000 in 1988. He was scheduled for a salary hearing Tuesday in Chicago. Fisk was asking $1.45 million; Chicago offered $1.2 million.

Meanwhile, Vince Coleman lost his salary arbitration case and was awarded $775,000 by arbitrator Frederick Reel, a management source said. Coleman, who made $715,000 last season, had sought $950,000. Coleman dropped to .260 last year with three homers, 38 RBIs and 81 stolen bases.